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[valmont_vicomte]

Saturday, May 15th, about 5pm
Valmont and Hermia's apartment and gardenI've never thrown a party for a teenage girl before, but hopefully this will do. Alice doesn't exactly have many friends, and there aren't that many teenagers in town I'd trust to be kind to her and not make fun of her, but she wants a party with people her own age, which makes

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[glass_beddau]

Well, to the good, Cain saw to mending my stove. To the bad, I'm sure enough there's poison catching in my blood; low red streaks along the cuts of my hand, and warmer to the touch than elsewhere. Went to see Lucien over it this morning, and rebandaged now, but really I've no luck to speak of of late.

It's not quite dusk, yet, and the candles're fine now, and suppose they'll be lovely in the dark. Wondering, faint and trying to set it aside, if Iago'll be here. Shrug and shift the parcel I'm holding in my off hand, and glance 'round.

[jaeresteade]

Just finished deciding to be be civil and turn around to see--oh, well, won't this be good practice. Joy. I grit my teeth just a little and force something like a smile. "Glass." Can't say it's good to see her, because it never, ever will be. And can't say she's looking well, not with those bandages.

Finally settle on nodding toward the package in her hand. "What'd you bring Alice?" Don't really care, but I'm pretty sure it won't be anything like as nice as fresh strawberries.

[glass_beddau]

Hear my name and glance over and here's yet another thing to mind. Watch him as he stands there a moment, then indicates what I'm carrying. "What'd you bring Alice?"

"Why?" Can't imagine he'd care for her sake, and sure's hell not for any interest in what I've a mind for.

[jaeresteade]

I don't think she's found any charitable feelings for me since she roused me out of her house. Just a hunch. I shrug. "Something to talk about." Because God knows there isn't anything else. But she probably never learned to make conversation in whatever hole in the woods she was raised in. Can't wait to see how she'll manage at a birthday party.

[jaeresteade]

The idea of a party for the day you're born on still seems strange to me, but I don't think Alice has had many nice things in her life before Valmont and Hermia. She did want a party so badly, too, and she's certainly got one now. Never seen so much pink in my life, and everything's shining. I looked around the market today for some trinket to get her, but I didn't want something that looked cheap, and I couldn't afford anything that looked expensive. So in the end I bought a basket with a ribbon on it and walked out of town to pick it full of tiny new strawberries

[shards_of_alice]

Ribbons and lights and everything gone bright with night coming close. It's been a very, very long day, with the waiting stretching every minute out to more, and I was awake just about as soon as the sun came through my window though I'm not tired yet.

I'm so excited I don't think I'll ever be tired again, all the happiness buzzing up and wanting to come out through my skin. I could feel it, I think, if I stopped and put my hand to my face, but there's not even time for that so I'm down the stairs as fast as I can and out into the garden.

[mistresswanda]

It was really lovely for Valmont and Hermia to invite Rose and I to Alice's birthday party. I do appreciate the thought, and it's nice that they are still accepting of me. We won't stay long, of course.

It's a lovely day, so I dress Rose in a sage green dress and myself in a simple black skirt and a light, cowl necked dusty rose coloured sweater, and we head over once Rose is fed and changed.

Once we arrive, I see Glass is here, with a very bandaged hand, Jarmyn, and I could care less about him, and Valmont and Alice with a new youth I hjave never seen before. I switch Rose to my other hip and decide to ease into the party by getting a drink of punch first.

[verite_belrose]

I'm kinda nervous about this party, I asked Valmont who else was invited and I know I'm being silly about Johnny and Damien; and not wanting to see or talk to them but I can't help how I feel. Maybe there will be enough other people that I never have to actually say anything

[mistresswanda]

I am getting myself a glass of punch when I hear my name be called, and in a happy tone, no less. Turn around and can't help but smile.

"Verite! Hello!" I say, giving her the once over. Rose is looking at her as well, eyes wide.

"Colorful as always." I say, grinning wide.

[verite_belrose]

Wanda turns round with a smile, Verite! Hello! I smile back. The baby is a pretty dark haired thing with wide green eyes which are staring right at me. "and hello to you too!" I add grinning as wanda looks my outfit over and then grins, Colorful as always.

I shrug, pleased that she seems to like what I've done. She always looks so beautiful it usually makes me feel a bit grubby. "Thanks. You look great. Is this your daughter?"

[kateohara]

I'm quite glad to have this party to come to with Tess, because I've been feeling unsettled - with that strange dream I had that I'm not entirely sure was just a dream and then that odd afternoon with Dorian I've been a bit on edge this week.

I did think about wearing my new dress tonight, but decided that was silly for a young girl's party. So I put on a pretty gingham dress I haven't worn since last summer now the weather's warming up. I don't know Alice very well, and we never made a great fuss over birthdays when I was growing up - presents were for Confirmation and for coming of age - so I'm not sure what to bring her. Today I settle on a pretty selection of ribbons, because all girls can make use of those, can't they?

We go in, and I see Glass. I wonder if Dorian's seen her yet, or if she even knows he's back. If not, I should tell her, which isn's something I look forward to...

[glass_beddau]

Step aside, and'm thinking of going inside but see Kate arriving, and turn down the path of candles to where she's standing in black and white. Touch surprised to see her, but suppose no more than me, all told.

"Evening," I say to her, and some mild relief at... well, being 'round someone I know t'be sensible. "How've you been? 'm sorry couldn't be in Friday." Bloody useless at a store with my right hand bandaged to stillness, and dosing when I can to manage the pain.

[kateohara]

"That's alright," I say to Glass. "How's the hand?" I knew about that because she sent word, but we haven't had time to chat. "Are you feeling any better?"

[glass_beddau]

Not trying to hide anything, and don't imagine that I am hiding anything--it's only that it's a party, and better things to speak of than a blow-by-blow account of infected, but may be that'll mend, and I smile a little wry, shake my head. "Ought be well," I say, and that's true enough. Don't think I've ever had a wound go sour afore, so clearly most times I'm mending aright. "Hurts less, and my knee's given me no grief, these last days. Well enough aside. How's Tess?"

Smile settles out of its twist and into something a touch easier, and I glance across to Alice. "If you're after asking, her cake didn't go so well. Brought that up to her already." Only that Alice's face fell a little over the matter, and rather not too many folk bring it up to her.